If a person commits fraud using an instrument of interstate commerce, namely, the telephone, electronic mail, or the Internet, a state prosecution for fraud turns into a federal prosecution for fraud. As one can imagine, unless every transaction occurred in cash and in person, it is difficult to imagine how anybody could conduct any transaction without using a cellphone or computer. 18 U.S.C. Section 1343 is a relatively short statute, but it is using in almost every federal prosecution for fraud:
§ 1343. Fraud by wire, radio, or television
Whoever, having devised or intending to devise any scheme or artifice to defraud, or for obtaining money or property by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations, or promises, transmits or causes to be transmitted by means of wire, radio, or television communication in interstate or foreign commerce, any writings, signs, signals, pictures, or sounds for the purpose of executing such scheme or artifice, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both. If the violation affects a financial institution, such person shall be fined not more than $1,000,000 or imprisoned not more than 30 years, or both."
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